Comparing Post-Study Work Visas in Popular Study Destinations

United Kingdom

The UK’s post-study work visa is called the Graduate Route. It allows Masters and PhD graduates to stay and work in the country after graduation without needing any sponsorship. This means you don’ t need to have a secured job or meet the minimum salary requirements to apply. You can take on any work or be self-employed, but you cannot work as a sportsperson or apply for state benefits.

The UK Government has said that the length of the Graduate Route is set to change for Masters graduates. It will be reduced to 18 months but when this change will come into force has not been announced yet. We’ll keep you updated through our newsletters as well so sign up today (if you haven’t already!) to keep on top of everything.

PhD and other doctoral graduates can stay for three years with the Graduate Route visa.

Any international student who studied an eligible postgraduate course in the UK can apply. You need to have physically attended university in the UK for at least 12 months. If your course was shorter, you’ll need to have been in the UK for the entire duration of your course.

Costs

• Application fee of £822
• International Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 for every year you’ll be in the UK

Application checklist

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for the Graduate Route:

• A valid passport or identity document
• Your biometric residence permit (BRP) if you have one
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) You should have been sent this by your university when you were offered a place on your course.

USA

International graduates in USA can stay and work post-graduation by applying for an Optional Practical Training (OPT). This is a temporary work authorisation tied to your student visa.

An OPT allows you to work either part-time (20 hours a week) or full-time in a field directly related to your studies.

Most students will be able to apply for an OPT of up to 12 months. STEM graduates can apply for a 24-month extension to their OPT period, allowing them to stay in the USA for up to three years. To be eligible for the extension, you must have already been granted an OPT and work for an E-Verified employer.

You can also apply for a pre-completion OPT which allows you to work during your studies. However, any pre-completion OPT you take will be deducted from the maximum 12-month period available. For example, if you choose to work for six months during your degree, you’ll only be able to apply for a six-month OPT after graduation.

Costs

The only fee you’ll need to cover is for filling an I-765, Application for Employment Authorisation which is $470 if you apply online or $520 if you file a paper application.

Application checklist

Before you can actually apply for the OPT, your university needs to put in a recommendation for you by endorsing a Form I-20 and making a note in the SEVIS. Be sure to check with your university to know what their specific procedures are.

Once the recommendation has been made, you’ll need to apply using these documents:

• A completed Form I-765
• A signed Form I-20 provided by your university
• Copy of your passport and F-1 visa
• Two passport-sized photographs

Australia

If you’ve just finished a Masters or PhD from an Australian university as an international student, you can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). You must have studied in Australia for at least two years to be eligible.

The length of your visa depends on your course.

• If you’ve completed a taught Masters (also known as Masters by coursework) you can stay for two years.
• If you’ve completed a research Masters, you can stay for three years.
• If you’ve completed a PhD, you can stay for three years.

Students of certain nationalities might be able to stay for longer. Indian nationals who’ve completed any Masters degree can stay for three years and those who’ve completed a PhD can stay for four years. Hong Kong and British Overseas nationals can stay for up to five years, no matter their degree.

You can add members of your family to your application if they’re already in Australia. If you wish to bring dependants from abroad, they can be added as ‘subsequent entrants’ but only once your visa has been approved.

Costs

It costs AUD $2,235 to apply as the main applicant. There is also an additional cost for each member of family added to your application. If you’re adding any subsequent entrants to your application, they’ll have to pay the entire AUD $2,235 as well.

You need to be aware that there might be added costs for health checks and police certificates.

Application checklist

You can apply for an Australian Temporary Graduate visa online. You’ll need:

• A valid passport
• A certified copy of the completion letter provided by your university
• Proof of English-language proficiency
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof that you have applied for an Australian Federal police check

Canada

International graduates in Canada can apply for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). The duration you can stay depends on the length of your course.

• If your course was shorter than 8 months, you won’t be eligible for a PGWP
• If your course was longer than eight months, the PGWP will be valid for three years.

Most Masters and PhD graduates will be able to access the three-year PGWP. You must have a valid student visa at the time of application and apply within 180 days of graduating. It can take up to 145 days to be processed, so make sure you account for that when making your application.

Costs

The Canadian PGWP costs CAD$255, however, there might be some additional costs for medical exams, police certificates, biometrics and language tests.

Application checklist

You can apply for a PGWP online easily. You’ll need to submit these documents with your application:

• Proof of completion of studies (e.g. your degree or an official letter from your university)
• Your degree transcripts which you can get from your university
• Language tests results (English or French)
• Proof of medical exam

New Zealand

You can apply for a post-study work visa if you wish to stay and work in New Zealand as a recent graduate. You can work in any job and even be self-employed.

Masters and doctoral graduates can stay for three years after graduation; however, you must have studied in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks.

You need to apply at least three months before your student visa expires for Masters graduates, and at least six months for PhD graduates.

Costs

A post-study work visa in New Zealand costs NZD $1670. However, there might be some additional costs for police checks and medical exams.

You also need to be aware that you need to have at least NZD $5,000 for living expenses in your bank account at the time you make your application.

Application checklist

You’ll need to apply for New Zealand’s post-study work visa online. You’ll need these documents to apply:

• A valid passport
• Proof that you have completed your degree
• Proof of funds
• Police certificates, if required
• Medical exam certificates, if required

Germany

Once you complete your degree in Germany, you can apply for an 18-month permit to stay in the country and look for a job that aligns with your qualifications. You don’t need a job offer to apply, but you'll need to show you're actively looking for one. However, you can work other jobs during the search period to support yourself.

The 18 months begin as soon as you finish your final exams, so it’s best to start looking for jobs as soon as possible.

Costs

The application costs around €100 but there might be some additional costs involved. You’ll also need to prove you have enough funds in your bank account for living expenses.

Application checklist

You must submit your application to your local registration office. You’ll need:

• A completed application form
• A valid passport
• Proof of completion of degree
• Valid health insurance
• Proof of funds
• Proof of accommodation

Tips from the author

Writing this guide meant reliving my experience trying to navigate the post study work sphere after I graduated from university in 2022. I studied my Masters in the UK and as an international graduate, understand the anxieties that come with applying for visas. So, here are a few honest tips that don’t always make the brochures.

#1 Start early — like, really early

You don’t want to be figuring out visa rules the week before graduation. Deadlines sneak up fast, and some countries only give you a short window to apply after your student visa ends. Set reminders. Make lists. Future-you will be grateful.

#2 Immigration rules change. A lot

This has never been more relevant! Governments change policies all the time and it is up to you to keep on top of them all. Subtle plug — sign up to our newsletters and we’ll make sure you get to know all the latest postgrad news straight to your inbox.

#3 Don’t assume “any job” means any job

Sure, many post-study visas are flexible, but the type of job really matters, especially if you’re also aiming for permanent residency after.

#4 Ask for help. Seriously!

Your university’s international student office is there for a reason. Use it. Book the visa webinar. Talk to other graduates. There’s no bonus prize for figuring it all out alone.